England fired up by Ashton double
Source: Agencies |
February 6, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
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LIVEWIRE winger Chris Ashton scored two tries as England beat Wales 26-19 for its first victory in Cardiff since 2003 in a pulsating Six Nations championship opener at a rocking Millennium Stadium on Friday.
The Northampton flier crossed after 14 and 55 minutes as England kept its noses in front throughout a fierce encounter and its defense proved sound enough to hold off a late charge.
Last time England won a Six Nations game in Cardiff it went on to a grand slam and months later lifted the World Cup in Australia.
Martin Johnson captained them that day eight years ago and though the young team he now manages looks a long way short of the 2003 vintage it showed real maturity to deal with the deafening noise generated by the home fans under the closed roof of one of the most atmospheric venues in world sport.
England showed only glimpses of the attacking verve that cut through Australia in November though when it did see space it took advantage in deadly style, with man of the match flyhalf Toby Flood setting Ashton free for the all-important first score with a razor-sharp break.
"It was a really good win, it was a real test for us and we came through it," Johnson said. "There were anxious moments, we tried a few passes in the first half when we needed to hold on to the ball and they will say they had chances, but we kept them out and that's the game."
England's first task was to quieten the crowd, which it did with the opening try after 14 minutes. The initial exchanges had been scruffy, with Wales missing two penalty shots, but its defense suddenly lost its shape enabling Flood to blast through a gap and off-load to ever-present wing man Ashton for the opening score.
Flood converted and added a penalty soon after to give England a 10-0 cushion, but it was far from in control.
Wales fought back quickly and forced two penalties, both landed by Stephen Jones to close the gap to 13-6 at halftime. A penalty apiece soon after the restart kept things tight and though Wales dominated possession it struggled to create gaps as England's defense stood firm.
Wales, without a win in seven matches, tried to open the game up but it did not work as England turned it over three times in dangerous positions, with flanker Tom Wood enjoying an assured debut. Once it got its hands on the ball England suddenly upped the intensity. Scrumhalf Ben Youngs sent Mark Cueto into a gap and he fed the overlapping Ashton for his second try.
In New Zealand, debutant Declan O'Donnell scored three tries as the hosts rallied to beat England 29-14 in yesterday's final of the Wellington Sevens tournament.
The victory took New Zealand level with England on 64 points after three of eight rounds of the World Series. The next round of the Series is at Las Vegas on February 12 and 13.
The Northampton flier crossed after 14 and 55 minutes as England kept its noses in front throughout a fierce encounter and its defense proved sound enough to hold off a late charge.
Last time England won a Six Nations game in Cardiff it went on to a grand slam and months later lifted the World Cup in Australia.
Martin Johnson captained them that day eight years ago and though the young team he now manages looks a long way short of the 2003 vintage it showed real maturity to deal with the deafening noise generated by the home fans under the closed roof of one of the most atmospheric venues in world sport.
England showed only glimpses of the attacking verve that cut through Australia in November though when it did see space it took advantage in deadly style, with man of the match flyhalf Toby Flood setting Ashton free for the all-important first score with a razor-sharp break.
"It was a really good win, it was a real test for us and we came through it," Johnson said. "There were anxious moments, we tried a few passes in the first half when we needed to hold on to the ball and they will say they had chances, but we kept them out and that's the game."
England's first task was to quieten the crowd, which it did with the opening try after 14 minutes. The initial exchanges had been scruffy, with Wales missing two penalty shots, but its defense suddenly lost its shape enabling Flood to blast through a gap and off-load to ever-present wing man Ashton for the opening score.
Flood converted and added a penalty soon after to give England a 10-0 cushion, but it was far from in control.
Wales fought back quickly and forced two penalties, both landed by Stephen Jones to close the gap to 13-6 at halftime. A penalty apiece soon after the restart kept things tight and though Wales dominated possession it struggled to create gaps as England's defense stood firm.
Wales, without a win in seven matches, tried to open the game up but it did not work as England turned it over three times in dangerous positions, with flanker Tom Wood enjoying an assured debut. Once it got its hands on the ball England suddenly upped the intensity. Scrumhalf Ben Youngs sent Mark Cueto into a gap and he fed the overlapping Ashton for his second try.
In New Zealand, debutant Declan O'Donnell scored three tries as the hosts rallied to beat England 29-14 in yesterday's final of the Wellington Sevens tournament.
The victory took New Zealand level with England on 64 points after three of eight rounds of the World Series. The next round of the Series is at Las Vegas on February 12 and 13.
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